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About

About Riaz Kanani

Riaz Kanani

25 years building B2B businesses — the growth side and the operational foundations.

I started my career as an engineer — MEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from UCL — which means I've always understood the technology from the inside, not just as a user of it.

Twenty-five years later, I've co-founded and built multiple B2B companies, scaled teams from 15 to 80, implemented operating systems that made growth predictable, expanded businesses internationally, and done exits — including Digital Oxygen, which I co-founded and sold to Silverpop, later acquired by IBM.

I've operated as a COO, CEO, and CMO across data science, martech, and AI SaaS. I understand the growth mechanics and the operational foundations — and increasingly, how AI changes both.

I founded Connected Paths to bring that experience to established businesses who want AI to create measurable commercial results. The advisory work here is different: smaller, more personal, and focused on clarity before commitment.

I've spoken publicly 100+ times — conferences, podcasts, BBC — and mentor founders through UCL, Bayes, Techstars, and NXTP Labs.

How I work

Advisory

A focused engagement to find where AI creates real leverage in your business — across growth and operations.

Mentoring

I work 1:1 with a small number of founders and senior leaders — typically on technology strategy, product direction, or GTM. I've mentored through UCL, Bayes Business School, Techstars, and NXTP Labs.

Speaking & Workshops

I speak at conferences and run corporate sessions on AI, B2B growth, and what the next few years actually mean for business leaders who want to move past the hype and into practical action.

What I'm known for

Over the years I've been recognised as:

  • One of the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech, recognised by Diversity UK.
  • A serial entrepreneur with a track record of building and scaling successful martech and services businesses.
  • A leading global account-based marketing thought leader, listed by B2B Marketing in their Top 25 ABM Opinion Leaders.
  • A multi-nominated Entrepreneur of the Year, recognising that track record of building and scaling companies.

I've also:

  • Built one of the world's largest video advertising networks, which exited to Silverpop - a marketing automation company that itself later exited to IBM.
  • Launched the first paid for movie online, in partnership with the UK Film Council.
  • Launched the first MCP AI connector for LinkedIn Advertising, automating the optimisation and setup of your LinkedIn Advertising.
  • Sat on the DMA Email Marketing Council, helping set best practices, shape privacy standards and judge industry awards.
  • Appeared on podcasts and stages around the world to talk about marketing, product, and entrepreneurship.

Underneath all of that is a consistent theme: using new technology to change how companies find customers, tell their story and run the business.